Visiting Pennsylvania

For the past 2 weeks Southern Style has been having some work done in the boat yard.  While this is occurring, I have gone to see family in Pennsylvania.  Keith spent some time with friends in NC and is also supervising the work on the boat.  We are hoping to be done by the end of May or beginning of June.  Then we will head north to meet friends and continue on to New England.

During my visit to PA I was able to attend my youngest niece Emily's pre-school graduation.

Here is the graduate with her older sister, Alison

I was also at one of Alison's soccer games. 

Alison playing goalie. 

I love being back in PA as the country side is just beautiful this time of year.  I especially love the covered bridges in the area.  I, of course, had to take a few pictures of some of them.  There was a time when the US was home to nearly 14,000 covered bridges.  Today less than 900 remain.  PA has the most of any state with 200 still in existence.

Here are just a small sample of some

Example of the arch truss bridge design by Theodore Burr (see below)

Here are some fun and interesting facts about Pennsylvania covered bridges.  America's first covered bridge was the Schuylkill Permanent Bridge built in Philadelphia in 1800.  In January 1806 Theodore Burr built a 1,008 foot bridge across the Delaware River.  It connected Morrisville, PA to Trenton, NJ and was America's 2nd covered bridge and first to connect two states.   In February of the same year Theodore Burr was awarded his first patent for an arch truss bridge.  Theodore Burr's bridge at McCall's Ferry became the longest single span covered bridge ever built in the US.  It was 360 feet spanning the Susquehanna River connecting York and Lancaster counties.  Pennsylvania would also be home to the longest covered bridge ever, connecting the town of Wrightsville to Columbia across the Susquehanna River.  This bridge was over 1 mile long and allowed travel across the river for many years but was eventually destroyed by a tornado in 1896.

With the spring upon us and so many pretty flowers in bloom, my mom and sister and I also made a trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.  This was an old haunt of mine when I was in veterinary school in Philadelphia.  Keith and I used to come once or twice a year on a weekend to walk the gardens and see the fountains.  I had not been back in some 30 years.

Longwood Gardens was first purchased as a tract of land for a farm by the Peirce family in the early 1700's.  Over time they not only farmed the land but also planted an arboretum.  By 1850 the property and arboretum had one of the finest horticultural collections in the country.  In the early 1900's the Peirce family lost interest in the property and it was purchased by Pierre du Pont of the prominent du Pont family.  He added to the property and made it into an enormous expanse of gardens and a conservatory.  He put funding into place so that the gardens could be maintained even after his death and enjoyed by everyone.  Today Longwood Gardens hosts a premier horticultural display for all and hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year.

Inside the conservatory

Their water fountain display is gorgeous.  They have several shows each day where the fountains are choreographed to music.  At night there is a colored display show as well.

Many of you may know that there is a large Amish and Mennonite presence in Lancaster, PA.  I always am amazed at their ability to be so down to earth.  Here in Lancaster County, there are over 35,000 Amish.  The first Amish arrived in Lancaster County in the early 1700's to take part in William Penn's "Holy Experiment" of religious freedom in Pennsylvania.  Originally called Anabaptists, they came to America from Europe to escape religious persecution by both Protestants and Catholics.  While they are Christians, most do not consider themselves to be either Protestant or Catholic.  The Amish believe the "worldliness" keeps one from being close to God, so they choose to live without any modern conveniences and technology, such as cars, television, etc.  Rather than use electricity, they often have propane stoves and refrigerators.  Likewise, uniformity and plain dress have for generations indicated humbleness and a commitment to the Amish way of life.

Beautiful farm country

Mule team in a field

Mules are used to pull farm machinery

Both men and women work teams in the fields.

It has been a great visit with family.  Keith reports that it may be another week or two before Southern Style is back in the water and we will be continuing our travels.  I will do my best to keep everyone up to date.